Change your display name in settings, not your login

Twitter lets you change the name that appears on your profile — the one people see when they visit your account — without touching your username (the @handle you use to log in). The display name is what shows up in tweets, replies, and your profile header. Your username stays the same and is what you use to sign in.

The display name change takes effect when ready across all your tweets and interactions. If you change it back later, the old name does not appear in your tweet history — only the current name shows. This is different from your username, which is permanent and cannot be changed through settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (what people see) is separate from your username (your @handle), and you can change the display name anytime without affecting login.
  • The change appears when ready on all your past tweets, replies, and your profile — there is no delay or notification to followers.
  • You can change your display name as often as you want, with no limit on how many times per day or per month.
  • If you want to change your actual username (@handle), you need a different process and can only do it once every 30 days.

Steps to change your display name on the web

Open Twitter in a web browser and sign in to your account. Click your profile picture in the top-left corner of the screen, then select Settings and privacy from the menu that appears.

Click Account in the left sidebar. Under the Account information section, you will see a field labeled Name. Click on that field and type your new display name. Twitter allows up to 50 characters, including spaces and special characters. When you are done typing, click outside the field or press Enter — the change saves automatically.

Steps to change your display name on the mobile app

Open the Twitter app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top-left corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Account. Tap the field next to Name and type your new display name using the same 50-character limit.

When you finish typing, tap outside the text field or tap the back arrow. The app saves the change automatically. You will return to your account settings, and your new name appears on your profile when ready.

What happens to your old name

When you change your display name, Twitter does not keep a public record of the old name on your profile. Anyone viewing your account after the change sees only the new name. However, people who saw your tweets before the change may remember the old name — Twitter does not notify followers that you changed it.

If you change your name back to something you used before, it appears as a new name, not a restoration. There is no history of name changes visible on your profile or to other users.

Changing your username (@handle) instead

If you want to change your @username rather than your display name, the process is different and has restrictions. Go to Settings and privacy > Account and look for the Username field (not the Name field). You can change it, but Twitter enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes.

When you change your username, your old @handle becomes available for anyone else to claim after a short period. If you think you might want to use the old handle again, consider creating a second account or waiting before you change. Changing your username does not affect your display name — both can be different from each other.

Reasons to change your display name

People change their display names for many reasons: to use a nickname instead of a legal name, to rebrand a professional account, to match a name change in real life, or to separate a personal account from a work identity. Since the change is when ready and reversible, there is no penalty for experimenting with different names.

If you run a business or public account, changing your display name does not affect your follower count, verification status (if you have one), or any of your tweets. Your account history and all interactions stay attached to your account regardless of what name appears on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters or emojis in my display name?

Yes. Twitter allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most special characters including emojis in your display name, as long as the total is 50 characters or fewer. Emojis count as one character each, so you have room for them alongside text.

Will my followers be notified if I change my display name?

No. Twitter does not send notifications when you change your display name. Your followers will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your tweets, but they are not alerted to the change.

How often can I change my display name?

You can change your display name as many times as you want with no limit. Unlike your username, which has a 30-day waiting period between changes, your display name can be updated when ready and repeatedly.

What is the difference between my display name and my username?

Your display name is what people see on your profile and in tweets — it can have spaces and special characters and can be changed anytime. Your username is your @handle, used to sign in and mention you in tweets — it cannot have spaces, can only be changed once every 30 days, and is permanent once claimed by someone else.

If I change my name, do my old tweets show the new name?

Yes. All your past tweets automatically display your current display name. There is no way to see what name was on a tweet when it was originally posted — only the current name appears.